PF tipped to win 2021 polls with landslide

WE expect the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to win the 2021 general elections despite the challenges the country is facing, says the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The EIU said the opposition had no chance to takeover power from the ruling party in 2021.

In its new 2020-2024 report, the EIU said the ruling PF under President Edgar Lungu would win the 2021 general elections with a landslide.

The report said the ground for the ruling party was still fertile, a situation which does not give chance for the opposition to take over power.

According to the report, the ruling party would emerge victorious in 2021 because it was benefiting from the significant incumbency advantages.

“Legislative and presidential elections are scheduled for August 2021, by which time we expect Zambia to have undergone considerable political and economic turmoil.

“This will limit the fiscal space available for government patronage networks, forcing the ruling party into more openly authoritarian position,” the report indicated. The EIU indicated however that the United Party for National Development (UPND) would not have a chance to win the elections because the PF was enjoying significant incumbency.

“But even with these challenges, the opposition especially the main opposition party, UPND will not have a chance to win the elections because it will be competing with the ruling party which has huge support and benefiting from the significant incumbency advantages.

“So our baseline forecast remains that Mr Lungu and the PF will win in 2021,” the report reads in part.